History

The history of our club begins in the years just before the start of the Second World War . A.V.Roe established an aircraft factory at Chadderton, which was situated in fields at the end of Moston Lane in North Manchester. The factory would become the home of the famous ‘Dambusters’ aircraft – the Avro Lancaster, as well as the famous Cold War ‘V’ bomber - the Avro Vulcan.

A.V Roe purchased a smaller factory in Failsworth, where the Failsworth Lodge was also located. 1936 saw the 16th century Lodge purchased by the AVRO works manager Mr Roy Dobson prior to the company opening their main Chadderton factory. In 1950, the Lodge was opened up to all personnel of Avro and took on the Lancaster Club name. The Grade II listed Lancaster Club then became the clubs headquarters for the next 67 years.

We joined the Manchester League in 1954/5 season and competed regularly throughout the sixties and seventies. We finally won the Division 1 Championship in 1988/89 and re-established our junior teams, but lasted just three seasons in the Premier Division before being relegated in 1991/92. We again won Division 1 in 2003/04 and promotion to the Premier Division, but we were again relegated after three seasons in 2006/07.

We bounced back immediately and were back in the Premier Division in 2008/09, where we have been ever since. There followed a period of success with us capturing the Manchester League Premier Division title in in 2009/10, and retaining it the following year in 2010/11, but losing the second title with a points deduction

By this time Oldham Council had bought the Lancaster Club land from Oldham Athletic FC who had purchased it as part of a plan to build a new stadium on the site, which never materialised.

After a lot of hard work and lots of meetings on the part of our Chairman Rob Fuller, we were granted a lease on the former Whitebank Stadium in Limehurst Village, Oldham. Again, after an enormous amount of work to bring it up to standard, this has become our new home ground. The Vestacare Stadium, a hub of the local community and also shared now with Oldham RLFC.

In Summer 2017 the new management team of Lee O’Brien and James Hampson took over and along with 1st team coach Paul Armstrong and goalkeeping coach Paul Urbano they led the team to Manchester League Premier Division title, and the Manchester FA County Cup in their first season. The move to the new stadium has allowed the club to pursue its ambitions of Step 6 football in the North West Counties Football League, which were finally realised in May as we were promoted into NWCFL Div 1 North on the back of the double win.

Matchday Information

Ground: Vestacare Stadium

Address: White Bank Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester

Postcode: OL8 3JH

Telephone: 07920 779382

Midweek Night: Wednesday

2018/19 Admission Prices: £5 adults, £3 concessions, Under 16s free

Programme Price: £2.00

Directions: M60 J22 then A62 towards Manchester/Failsworth. First left onto Hollins Rd – signposted Oldham South and Hollinwood. Follow Hollins Rd to junction with Oak Rd – just before petrol station – then Oak Rd to Whitebank Rd. Stadium is directly in front of you.